A’s start day in 2nd; Crisp out with tight hamstring

A’s manager Bob Melvin usually downplays good stretches of play, monthly records and the like, even as his team has been rolling through July. But today was a little different: He picked up the standings today, and he saw what everyone else saw: The Angels lost to Tampa Bay last night, and Oakland is now in second place in the AL West.

“It did get my attention,” Melvin said. “When it says you’re above the Angels, it does get your attention. I did notice we’re 3 1/2 games back. We’ve made up a lot of ground in a short time.”

Having said that, Melvin added, “We don’t need that type of distraction. It makes you feel good, but our focus needs to be on today’s game. But you can’t help but notice where we are in the standings today.”

Oakland was 13 games behind Texas on June 30. Going 18-3 so far in July has narrowed the gap significantly. It’s the first time since May 25 the A’s have been in second place alone, and this is closest they’ve been to the division lead since May 6.

The A’s also are 10 games over .500 since the end of the 2006 season. That’s the last time Oakland was in the playoffs – and that team went to the ALCS. Right now, Oakland holds the top wild-card spot.

Coco Crisp is out of the lineup with that hamstring tightness that caused him to come out after seven innings last night. He’s doing no work on the field today and he will be reevaluated at home tomorrow.

Shortstop Cliff Pennington hit off the tee yesterday for the first time since going on the DL with left elbow soreness the last homestand. He’s made more progress the past few days than he did initially, which would be important for the A’s if they do not land a shortstop in the next two days.

There’s strong sentiment in the Oakland clubhouse in favor of just keeping Pennington at that spot when he is healthy, but it’s understandable why the front office is looking for left-side infield help: Pennington is hitting .197 and his .282 slugging percentage is the lowest in the majors. He’s always been a very streaky hitter, but he has not had one of those extended good streaks yet this season. If he does get the chance to play there the rest of the way when he is healthy, that would be a good time for him to go on one of those rolls.

Speaking of which, everyone has been waiting for Jemile Weeks to get going, and he had his first three-hit game of the season last night. Melvin said he’s hitting the ball on the ground more, he’s cut down his swing and he looks better when hitting from the right side in particular. Now, if Weeks gets it going from the left side – and he was batting lefty yesterday – it would be huge for the A’s. Melvin mentioned the potential havoc Crisp and Weeks could play if both are reaching regularly. That’s what the team envisioned at the start of the season, but it never quite materialized as Weeks got off to a slow start at the plate.

As I reported last night, sources tell me it’s reliever Fautino De Los Santos, who has really struggled this season, including at Triple-A Sacramento, going to Milwaukee for catcher George Kottaras. It’s not official yet; after today’s game or tomorrow is more likely for an announcement. As I keep emphasizing, things can change rapidly this time of year, but right now, there are no major rumblings on the trade front, though I know the team is still very much looking for a shortstop or shortstop/third baseman.